Majority think drivers over the age of 66 should have to retake their driving test to prove they are safe on the road

Older drivers should be forced to retake their driving test when they turn 66 - which will be retirement age in 2020 - according to the majority of motorists in a survey by Auto Trader.

Over the last 20 years there has been a 72 per cent increase in the number of licence holders over the age of 70 and there are currently more than one million registered motorists over the age of 80 on British roads, data from the car website’s latest Owners Guide shows.

At present, there is currently no upper age limit for holding a driving licence. Drivers over the age of 70 self-certify their fitness with little official regulation. This has led to calls for an age limit on driving or compulsory retesting - and 60 per cent of nearly 4,000 drivers polled agreed.

Older drivers: Despite being statistically safer, the majority of almost 4,000 motorists surveyed say that drivers should be retested at 66

The number of people over the age of 65 living in Britain is expected to jump by nearly five million in two decades according to a recent Government report.

Projections of a 50 per cent increase in numbers of over-65s between 2010 and 2030, and a doubling of over-85s, will put significant pressure on the roads, Auto Trader said.

However, despite people believing those over a certain age should retake their test, official statistics from the Department of Transport show those over 70 are safer drivers than younger ones.

In 2011, people over 70 made up nine per cent of drivers, but only six per cent of driver casualties. Drivers under 30 made up 20 per cent of drivers, but 35 per cent of casualties.

According to the survey, 73 per cent feel concerned on the road behind an older driver while 30 per cent think older drivers should be allowed fewer points before their licence is revoked.

Nathan Coe, group director at Auto Trader, said: ‘Any correlation between growing old and driving safely is not straightforward, making it difficult for Government to enforce a one rule fits all policy.

‘Driving is a combination of experience, attitude, physical health and brain function. We want to help people to stay on the roads for as long as they are safe to do so.’

Older drivers being penalised by insurers

Older drivers are being forced to pay higher premiums or being refused cover altogether once they reach a certain age.

Analysis of policies by consumer group Which? shows that average premiums increase sharply the older drivers become.

An annual policy for a 75 year old woman driving a Citroen would be £702. But according to the data, at 85 this would be 74 per cent higher at £1,224.

Insurers state they are entitled to charger higher premiums for older drivers because they are more likely to claim on car insurance – and the cost of these claims are greater for this age group.

Age UK found last year in mystery shopping research that 21 per cent of people aged 80 plus were refused car insurance because they were too old.

Age UK added that its research showed 85 per cent of those aged 80 plus who were initially refused motor insurance were not referred on to other insurers or the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA), as is supposed to happen under the agreement.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Should older drivers be forced to retake their test and if so, what age do you think? Or is it an unnecessary nuisance? Let us know in the comment box below…